I find it hard to believe people knocking the heros of the Dakar. The mini isn't a "mini" its just a body on a custom race car...everyone needs a sponsor. It is a 14+ day race and reliability is as big a factor as performance. The guy who wins did it right, the guy who shows up with a badass car that can't finish did it wrong...plain and simple. Speed, power and performance are only one factor in the Dakar. This separates the Dakar from races like the baja races and other shorter rallies (amongst other things like chasing silly waypoints, etc ).

I enjoy Robby as much as the next guy, he is entertaining and good in that he brings more interest in the race for North Americans. I've never quite understodd the US mentality of us versus them... These people aren't racing to represent their country (although having a country sponsor some competitors is a very cool idea, better than handing out money to people who are too lazy to work )..

Just my two cents...23 days until go time

I gather you've never been to Europe when the world cup is on?

Europe is FAR more nationalistic that the US will ever be. Europe meaning all those people up and over there to the left of us.

There is a large portion of the population in America that is very nationalistic/jingoistic and either doesn't realize it or doesn't think there is anything wrong with that mind set. Witness our electoral politics which feeds this sort of thinking. Outside of politics the whole "buy American" thought that because it's made in the good ole US of A it must be better quality than (insert country here).

Robby Gordon's "US vs. Them" logo feeds the demographic that resembles the above statement. The NASCAR/stock car racing fan base is full of people that think America and American-made is the absolute best. From a sponsorship/public support perspective this is likely a good move for him. Yes, not every RG, NASCAR or stock car racing fan in the U.S. fits that description but I think if one were to put a moments thought to the task they would find there is a lot of truth in it.

Dakar is NOT the Olympics. I'm not routing for Team USA. I don't particulalry care what country your from. If the bike/car/truck pilot races with skill and panache, and isn't a total douche-bag, I'm probably routing for them. That's why it's sometimes hard to get over "Mud-gate" and "Tire-gate" when I think over the careers of Despres and Coma since I otherwise have a lot of respect for these riders.

I also don't understand the sheer number of people who dream of racing the Dakar and don't put in the yeoman's work to get there and be successful (i.e. the Charlie Boarman approach). That's like signing on to a K2 expedition after you've taken a 5-day course and climbed a few local hills. But that's another topic altogether.

Here's looking to a great 2013 Dakar that doesn't get mired down in animosity, country-bashing or name calling.

I honestly didn't think I was bashing, just pointing out the potential roots of the sentiments in a rational way. How does that equate to bashing? I'd apologize for percieved offenses but I'm at a loss for how I offended.